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  1. #11
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    I don't know what to say about all this..

    I believe the steels are better today... More of a selection of alloys that can be tailored to specific needs... On the otherhand, today's corporate mindset generally demands using less expensive raw materials to maximize profits.
    Machinery is better and more precise that in the past, but just as above, highly skilled labor is becoming harder and harder to obtain at any price, and training, as in an old school appreticeship program is virtually non-existant. The days of the craftsman performing a labor of love are at a close..
    So, while today's blades could be a bit better than in bygone days, I don't believe that many are..

  2. #12
    Senior Member kevint's Avatar
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    Steel, just like me, gets better with age!
    Some say

    I've never had a new razor-I have no idea what they are like.

    Simple carbon steel is a delight as far as I'm concerned. I'm just not that interested in the flavor of the day high tech alloys.

    i've given away a couple ducks to new honers because I found them to be so easy to hone. no warps or twists, rust or pits to complicate matters. Only straight forward sharpening that anyone can handle imho/ I'm sure there are dozens of other brands for which the same can be said.

  3. #13
    all your razor are belong to us red96ta's Avatar
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    Vintage razors were made of virgin steel fresh from the ground/foundry. These days, razors are more likely to be made from an '85 BMW.

  4. #14
    Senior Member Noswad's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by red96ta View Post
    Vintage razors were made of virgin steel fresh from the ground/foundry. These days, razors are more likely to be made from an '85 BMW.

    Funny that you should mention BMW recycling. The following is an excerpt from BMW cars ready for End-of-Life Vehicles Directive - letsrecycle.com which talks about the European End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive.

    BMW's Recycling and Dismantling Centre, at Unterschleissheim near Munich, recycles about 2,000 vehicles a year and has allowed BMW to develop its vehicles so that they are almost completely recyclable.
    It said: "According to the EU Directive, at least 85% of the end-of-life vehicle weight must be re-used or recycled from 2006. Only 5% of the residual weight may be brought to landfill from 2015. All BMW Group vehicles fulfil the Directive's recycling quotas. Metals have long been recycled. Today, glass and many large pure-grade plastic components are recovered."

  5. #15
    Senior Member Kingfish's Avatar
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    One variable that can be counted on for today's commercial st8 razor makers is the lack of competition.
    All the other variables mentioned are most likely true too regarding steel quality.
    Kevin point on steel getting better over time(providing it was top quality material) makes sense too. Over time certain stresses in the metal might be relieved making metal more stable.

  6. #16
    Senior Member blabbermouth Kees's Avatar
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    At one time in Solingen there were approx. 700 (yes, seven hundred) razor makers according to the Revisor site. Stiff competition forced them to make the best razors possible.

    Another factor: a century ago everybody shaved with a straight so they had to be easy to use, i.e. easy to hone, easy to maintain sharpness and easy to shave with. A passable shave (smooth enough, no cuts) was what most users would be happy with. As most shavers nowadays are happy with a passable result (why else do so many guys still use electric shavers and disposable razors?)

    Nowadays a couple of hobbyists still use straights. Hobbyists that require a BBS result. So makers nowadays produce for a different market and face fewer competitors.
    Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr.

  7. #17
    Senior Member LawsonStone's Avatar
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    I am relieved, at least, to discover that my experience is not some kind of delusion.

    I love my shiney new pretty Dovos and the honemeisters' craft makes them fun to use.

    Still, I find it so pleasurable to be working on one of my old-timers, knowing that it will take a great edge and feel good to shave with.

  8. #18
    Senior Member AlanII's Avatar
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    This thread inspired me to shave for the first time in a while with my Thiers Issard, bought about 2 years ago. Was a great shave this morning, the new guys are not half bad either.

  9. #19
    Know thyself holli4pirating's Avatar
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    Honestly, I doubt most people could tell a random vintage blade apart from a random current production blade - assuming both are quality blades that were properly honed. Sure there are differences, but other factors (like shave technique, for one) are much more important.

  10. #20
    Senior Member blabbermouth Joed's Avatar
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    From what I have on hand, mostly vintage razors and a few Dovo's I have found that, besides shaving technique, there are three elements that effect the shave. First, the steel used to make the razor. No matter how well everything else is the steel has it's limits. Second, the hones used to sharpen the razor. Matching the hone's binder hardness and grit material to the steel has some effect on the edge and sometimes enough to notice. Lastly, the person honing the razor and how much effort they put into setting the bevel and polishing out the previous hone patterns. Even the same person can get different results on different days under the same razor and hone conditions.

    Comparing apples to apples and using my vintage razors as a reference since it is the largest sample pool I have available I find some razors shave better than others, mostly by a small margin. Of the lesser performers I have found that I can tweak the edge some by using different finishing hones while some went back to refine the bevel some more on different hones and on different days. I find I have more patients on some days than others. Some were honed by others at meets and then again by me. In the end some are still better shavers than others.

    In comparing your Dovo's to your vintage blades I would suggest re-honing the Dovo's yourself to eliminate that variable and then compare the Dovo's to your vintage blades again. I am curious to hear of your results.

    Good luck!
    “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” (A. Einstein)

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